How To Live As A Third Son Of A Failure [EN]: Chapter 269

“Open the gates! It’s Count Cain!”

As the sun dipped below the horizon, I arrived in Capital with Ruth and several other nobles. A messenger had been sent ahead to announce our arrival, and the massive gates of Capital opened without any special procedures.

At the very front, I rode my horse slowly into the city. The main street was silent. Normally, flower petals would have fluttered in the air, and a procession would have celebrated the return of a hero.

But the war wasn’t over yet, and rumors were spreading that monsters were pouring down from the north. The atmosphere was grim.

I gestured to Ruth, who was riding beside me.

“Inform the commanders to set up camp outside Capital, as previously instructed. Make sure no one enters Capital. These are sensitive times, so they need to be especially careful.”

“Understood. But as you know, they haven’t had a proper rest since we left the south, and they’ve been marching non-stop. If they can’t enter Capital when it’s right in front of them, there might be some complaints…”

“They just need to stay in the encampment. We’ll send them plenty of drinks and food so they can enjoy themselves. Tonight, let them eat and drink to their hearts’ content. But, as I said, absolutely no one is allowed to enter Capital.”

“Ah, I see. Understood. Are you heading straight to the royal palace, Count?”

“I have to. The report comes first.”

“Understood.”

After confirming that Ruth had moved away, I headed straight to the royal palace with the nobles.

The passage was smooth. I quickly arrived at the entrance of the royal palace, dismounted, and straightened my clothes.

Meanwhile, a group of people came to greet us. The person at the front was a familiar face.

“Welcome.”

“Marquis, how have you been?”

It was the Head of the Royal Household, Marquis Halin Irfe. He greeted all the nobles beside me before smiling and speaking.

“You’ve worked hard to eliminate the treacherous rebels. The members of the Royal Household have prepared accommodations, so please follow their guidance.”

Afterward, the Royal Household members who had followed Marquis Halin Irfe led the nobles away. I naturally remained beside Marquis Halin.

Once the nobles had left, the Marquis erased his smile and turned to me.

“We’ll go see His Majesty the King right away.”

“That’s what I wanted as well. Let’s talk as we go.”

“Good.”

The Marquis and I began to walk. The Marquis led me down a quiet garden path to prevent anyone from eavesdropping.

“The letter?”

“I received it.”

“You came faster than I thought. I expected it to take longer. I heard from Belom first. He said you foresaw the situation and were already retreating?”

“It’s closer to a belated repentance than foresight. We came back feeling like defeated soldiers.”

“Don’t blame yourself too much. Let’s find the best we can do now.”

“How is the war situation?”

“The northeastern territories are almost completely destroyed. Hundreds of refugees continue to pour in every day.”

“What does the Flores family say?”

“They said they would try to gather the lords and stop them as much as possible… but they will need support.”

“Understood. What about the northwest?”

“Count Lindaier says it’s quieter than expected. I guess the Volum Mountains haven’t been breached. They must be seeing things coming over from the Blue Mountains little by little.”

“Is that so? Then what about the Sky Fortress?”

“It was built as a natural fortress, so it seems they are barely holding on, but I don’t know how much longer they can last without supplies.”

Thinking about the people who remained in the Sky Fortress left a bitter taste in my mouth.

“Understood. What measures are being taken in Capital?”

“What could there be? All the troops were sent to the south for the expedition. There was nothing Capital could do on its own.”

“I asked something obvious.”

“That’s how it’s been until now.”

“Yes?”

“Let’s talk about the rest after we see His Majesty.”

With that, Marquis Halin Irfe and I arrived at the deepest part of the royal palace, at the door leading to the King’s chambers, where someone was waiting for us.

It was a familiar face: the one responsible for the safety of the royal family and one of the kingdom’s best swordsmen, Royal Guard Commander Graham.

“You’ve arrived?”

“I greet Master Graham.”

“Spare the formalities. Straight to the audience?”

Marquis Halin Irfe nodded at Graham’s question. There was no further conversation. As if reflecting the gloomy atmosphere of Capital, we moved silently and quietly.

Soon, the door to the study, which I had visited several times before and was now quite familiar with, came into view. Graham stepped forward and knocked on the door, and a voice came from inside.

“Enter.”

With permission granted, Graham stepped aside and nodded to us.

Halin and I straightened our clothes one last time and opened the door.

King Belintes Aransel was sitting at the head of the familiar round table. His face looked tired, as if he had been struggling with the situation. He waved his hand at me as I tried to pay my respects.

“The matter is urgent, so let’s skip the formalities.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As Belintes finished speaking, Marquis Halin Irfe stood by the window with his hands respectfully clasped, and I slowly sat down in a chair.

Belintes sighed and began.

“Did you hear the story on the way here?”

“Yes, I did.”

“To be direct, what are you planning to do?”

I looked at Marquis Halin, and he nodded, indicating he would leave it to me. I remained silent for a moment until Belintes looked puzzled, then I spoke.

“Currently, the only troops we can reliably deploy are the Second Legion. I plan to support the northeast with this force.”

“How?”

“There are commanders who joined us from Southguard [a region] and retreated together. I plan to entrust the legion to them and send them to the Flores family. They will assess the detailed war situation in the east and then divide the troops into several units to operate.”

“To Flores?”

I shook my head at the implied question of whether to entrust the entire Second Legion, which was all we had, to a family with a history of treason.

“As you already know, Flores has sworn allegiance to the royal family.”

“Sending the legion with the commanders means that Count Cain, you will not be going with them… is that correct?”

“That’s right.”

“What’s the reason?”

“I believe that the current situation, where monsters are pouring down, is only part of the problem. I think it’s more important to identify and eradicate the more fundamental issue. Even without me, they are troops and commanders who have been sufficiently trained on the battlefield. I have no doubt that they will be able to fulfill their roles.”

“No, wait. Isn’t the information that they would use magic stones to turn monsters into troops something you found out through your investigation? There’s a more fundamental problem than that?”

“Yes. May I explain it to you now?”

“Briefly and simply. Summarize only the important information.”

I don’t know if you’re ready to hear it, but I didn’t want to explain it while trying to sugarcoat it. Even at this moment, people are dying in the northeast and south.

I took a deep breath and spoke.

“They are trying to summon their demon lord, Nebiros, to this land.”

“Cough-!”

Master Graham, who was listening from behind, coughed. Marquis Halin Irfe bit his lip, looking flustered.

Belintes tilted his head at their reactions.

“It seems even the Head of the Royal Household didn’t know about this?”

“I simply thought it was right to report my opinion to Your Majesty first and discuss the disposition of the matter.”

“Hmm. I wouldn’t think the Head of the Royal Household would judge information on his own and report it as he pleases?”

“Your Majesty’s decision is necessary to deal with the current situation. Therefore, discussion with others was unnecessary.”

“That my decision is necessary means?”

I turned my head slightly to look at Graham, who was standing tall beside me.

A white-haired old knight, but beneath that aged body lies an indescribable power.

I looked back at Belintes and nodded.

“Master Graham is needed.”

“…I’ll decide after hearing the reason. Explain it.”

I explained to Belintes, summarizing only the key points, including the information given to me by the black-haired man and the druid necromancer in the south, as well as my speculation that the more casualties there were, the stronger the being would become.

Belintes adjusted his posture several times as he listened to me until the end, and finally let out a small sigh.

“So that black-haired man is…”

“Yes, I believe he is the vessel into which Nebiros will descend.”

“Graham is needed to face him?”

“For now, yes.”

“For now?”

“Nothing has been decided yet. There may still be moves I don’t know about. Until then, hasty judgment is forbidden.”

“So, when you first said you would identify the root cause, you were assuming that.”

“That’s right.”

“Head of the Royal Household?”

At Belintes’ call, Marquis Halin stepped forward.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“What do you think?”

“I hesitate to say, but you should consider the wicked schemes that have been revealed under Count Cain Arfen’s persistent pursuit. Most of them have been proven to be clear facts without a doubt, and if it weren’t for Count Cain, they would have posed a great danger to the royal family. Therefore, I believe it is right to support him as much as possible. But…”

“But?”

“The Royal Guard Commander is a being who must draw and wield his sword only for the royal family. He cannot head to the battlefield with personal goals. Whether Count Cain’s claim about the demon lord’s descent is true or not, that alone must be protected. Your Majesty’s safety is the very reason for the kingdom’s existence.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, it is. Master Graham’s absence cannot be concealed. The reason is that, as Your Majesty knows well, one cannot avoid eating, sleeping, or dressing in front of the royal palace.”

“If Graham leaves his post, there will be someone who will try to take my head?”

“Forgive my disloyalty. Yes, that is correct.”

Belintes nodded. Then he looked at me and sighed softly.

“Count Cain, I also want to help you in any way I can, but the Head of the Royal Household’s words make sense. I’m not agreeing because I want to ensure my safety. It’s just that there are vipers in this palace who are eager to take my head whenever possible. This is even more true in times of war like these.”